Total Redemption

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works (Titus 2:14, hcsb).

The topic of human sexuality always strikes a sensitive chord. For some it comes off as provocative, while for others it’s just uncomfortable . . . something they’d rather not deal with.

What it never does is generate no response.

“Part of following Jesus means the redemption of everything that’s under the curse.”

The attitudes and emotions that surround our thoughts on sex are complex. You may tend toward prudishness, or it may have unhealthy prominence in your thinking. But maybe, like a lot of people, the prevailing cry of your heart in this matter is the hope that Christ will somehow redeem what you’ve done with it in the past and what it still tempts you to do.

Thankfully, redemption is high on the list of things God loves to do.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:7, esv).God’s ability to redeem us from our failings doesn’t meet its match when tasked with forgiving something as tangled and complex as sexual sin. He “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness”—all of it—“and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14, esv).

Yes, painful reminders are still able to crop up from time to time. Certain consequences may continue to play out. But redemption is promised, guaranteed by “the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30)—the day when He will right every wrong, including all the damage done to this good gift He intended solely for husbands and wives. Redemption is His plan to reverse the effects of Adam’s sin and provide forgiveness to all who receive Jesus Christ.

You can be forgiven. Completely. And what temptation has led you to debase can now be redeemed as pure. Part of following Jesus means the redemption of everything that’s under the curse. And the handling of your sexual life according to His good and perfect will is as worthy a place to start as any.

If you’re currently unmarried, redeeming sexual brokenness means trusting His good intentions toward you in saving eros for marriage. (“Eros” is the Greek word describing the physical, affectionate, intimate relationship between a man and a woman.) You’ll draw closer to His greater purpose for your life every time you walk in alignment with His parameters for this gift.

If you are married, redeeming it means bringing it back into the mainstream of your marriage where it belongs. Scripture tells us not to “deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:5). You are the entirety of God’s plan for the fulfillment of your spouse in this area. And by redeeming it, you make possible new levels of growth in godly passion and desire for one another.

What if our lives as God’s people would celebrate His design for eros? Whether you’re a student, young adult, married person, or single—whatever your current status—God both preserves and redeems what the world cheapens and abuses.

Be forgiven. Be free.

It’s what He desires for you.

Journal

In the area of eros, is your thinking governed more by truth or lies?

Whether married or single, what next steps can you take to bring your sexuality into better alignment with God’s design for it?

PrayFather, thank You for the blood of Your Son, Jesus, which forgives me from every sin. Thank You not only for dealing fully with my past but also purifying my present and future. Make me more keenly aware, Lord, of all the lies inherent in our culture’s occupation with sex—not only as a means of helping me walk in the truth myself, but also helping me remind and restore others whose hearts need protection and redemption. I pray these things in Jesus’ redeeming name, amen.